Murmures de l'Océan

This one-movement works, in homage to Richard Wagner, was written in 1972. Largely consisting of semiquaver triplets of arpeggios with a melody in the treble, it is, most definitely, not easy to play.
The harmonies are interesting in that there is more than one place where they slip and slide into remote keys, in the manner of some of Liszt's works. I imagine that this is why the homage to wagner appears at the top, because it is immediately obvious to the player that it is this area of the work that sets it apart from the rest.
Beginning in E major, the first theme quickly moves from an F# minor chord to F7 without any preparation, and then straight back into E major for a reiteration of the first melody now transposed into the lower octave. A similar event occurs here, where the F# minor chord now turns suddenly into C major and then to an agitato section which in the space of a few bars goes through various keys before turning into Bb major for a new theme marked movendo. And so it goes on. It is quite an extensive piece that goes through almost as many moods as it does keys.
This then, is a rare example of a composition inspired by the late Romantique era, which in trying to emulate some of its harmonic qualities, actually succeeds in that it sets out to do. I found it intriguing, interesting to play, and constantly surprising in its content. It is worth trying out if this era in music has any appeal for you. Nicely printed as usual with this publisher.
(Chris Dumigan - Classical Guitar Magazine, 2e trimestre 2001)